The researchers carried out their study between 2002 and 2009 after minimum price limits for alcoholic drinks were set in British Columbia, Canada.

They found a ten per cent rise in the minimum price of alcohol cut the number of related deaths by 32 per cent.

The findings, published in the journal Addiction, were welcomed in Britain, where ministers want to implement a minimum price of 45p per unit in England and Wales in 2014.

Dr James Nicholls, from Alcohol Research UK, said: ‘Overall, this research does show some clear positive impacts from minimum unit pricing, so should provide an important contribution to current debates on the policy.’

Dr John Holmes, from the University of Sheffield, said: ‘It suggests that this type of policy can have substantial impacts in reducing the number of premature deaths associated with alcohol.’

In Britain, a ten per cent rise would see the average cost of a pint of lager rise from £2.90 to £3.19.

Consultation on the 45p proposal closed at midnight. Under the plan, a can of strong lager could not be sold for less than £1.56 and a two-litre bottle of cider would rise from £2.10 to about £6.